Articles to LIFT Your Family

The Pitfalls of DIY Wills: Lessons Learned from a Florida Probate Case

by Alexis Neely 13 Oct 2017

DIY wills are becoming more prevalent as legal services can now be accessed easily online. For better or worse, more and more people are turning to online services to meet their legal needs, maybe even you. Here’s what you need to know before you decide to create your own will, using an online service, or […]

How Legal Planning Helps Build a Strong Blended Family

by Alexis Neely 22 Sep 2017

Yours, mine and ours … in today’s modern family, it’s oh so common. The blended family is the product of 2nd (or more) marriages, in which one or more of the parties comes with children from a prior marriage. And then, they may even go on to have children together. If you have or are […]

Whether your estate is modest or movie star worthy, the value of a good estate plan, properly handled, cannot be underestimated. A comprehensive plan can mean the difference between an expensive and unnecessary “time spent in court headache” for your loved ones or an easy “in your lawyer’s office” transition that allows your family time […]

Is California’s New Transfer on Death Deed a Safe Alternative to a Living Trust?

by Alexis Neely 1 Sep 2017

Perhaps you’ve heard from a well-meaning friend or advisor that you can use an inexpensive Transfer on Death Deed to keep your property out of court without going to the trouble of creating a Living Trust. If so, read this before you rely on a Transfer on Death Deed to ensure that you aren’t creating […]

How “Shopping Around” for An Estate Plan Could Leave Your Family With an Expensive, Unintended Mess

by Alexis Neely 28 Jul 2017

Maybe you’ve heard that before investing in a professional service you should “get three estimates.” While often this is wise advice, it’s actually a bad idea when it comes to estate planning. This article explains why and how you can ensure you get the most efficient and affordable plan possible for your family without shopping […]

Why You Should Never Buy Your Will From Living Social or Groupon

by Alexis Neely 7 Jul 2017

Of the handful of major life events that require your serious consideration, few are as emotionally charged as how to leave your assets for loved ones at the time of your death. This often complex process is accomplished via testamentary documents such as wills and trusts, which have recently become available for purchase online as […]

Leaving Without a Plan: Prince Didn’t Leave a Will & Here’s Why You Should

by Alexis Neely 28 Apr 2017

Even after death, celebrities are highly publicized for their mistakes, many of which we make ourselves. This time last year, superstar musician Prince died suddenly, leaving no will, and the management of his substantial estate fraught with legal complications and added costs. It’s easy to assume that the wealthiest among us have all their ducks […]

Estate Planning Essentials for Parents

by Alexis Neely 24 Feb 2017

A comprehensive estate plan can protect the things that matter most. For many, this means their property and their family. Including provisions for the care of your children in your estate plan is essential for peace of mind. But many parents struggle with including such provisions as naming a legal guardian for their child in […]

Alert: If This Language Is In Your Trust, Your Spouse Could Be Screwed Over When You Die … Check Your Plan Today!

by Alexis Neely 9 Dec 2016

If you created an estate plan that includes a living trust, you must review it to determine if it contains language that could create unnecessary cost, effort and stress for your surviving spouse. Back in the day, when the estate tax exemption was $675,000 to $1,000,000, most living trusts were drafted to provide for a […]

Why You Need to Update Your Estate Plan After These Life Events

by Alexis Neely 18 Nov 2016

Too many estate plans are created and then quickly forgotten, put on a shelf, and never looked at again. While we do recommend that you review and update your plan at least every three years, no matter what happens in your life, your plan must be updated immediately in the event of any of these […]

The Four Tricky Cons of 2016

by Alexis Neely 2 Sep 2016

Electronic technology has brought about tremendous benefits for today’s society. We can access goods, services, and information, all at the touch of a button. The flip-side of that coin, however, is that this same technology has also spawned countless new opportunities for dishonesty and crime. It is unlikely that any person who has a telephone, […]